Kelly, just to add to your statements a little on the subject of proper diet for snakes is the fact that snakes that are genetically programmed to eat ectothermic prey for part or all of their life don't do as well, I think, on endothermic prey. A classic example are West Indian Boas and King Cobras. Most folks upon receipt of a King immediately try to switch to rats. The result is usually an obese flaccid Ophiophagus instead of the sleek muscular steel like bodies of snake eaters. I'm fully aware of the theories and motives behind this but I personally never try to switch them and one I kept for over 10 years and finally gave it to George Van Horn lived for years afterward. Usually I feed pre-killed ft snakes and my Kings retain that unique regal steely appearance of a healthy wild one. I know in crocodilians diet has everything to do with fertile egg production. With Cuban Crocodiles for instance They require whole mammalian prey to acieve maximum fertility and egg viability. I'd bet that snakes are perhaps not as sensitive as crocs but still would likely benefit if fed their natural diet...thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

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